Project information

FAIR social media

FAIR would like to design and monitor an interactive website for young people with learning disabilities. Social media is a huge part of many young people’s lives and use it every day, young people with learning disabilities should not be excluded from this.

Charity information: FAIR

Need

Young people with learning disabilities can be very vulnerable and many parents and carers do not promote the use of this medium to stay in touch with friends. FAIR believe that young people with learning disabilities should be able to enjoy and partake in social media however extra care and protection may be needed.

Solution

We would therefore only allow individual’s user names if they contact FAIR, we would build in education and training about the internet and we would monitor the site to ensure that there is no offensive remarks or bullying.

Impact

We want to promote the use of the internet to people with learning disabilities. The internet and social websites are used by the majority of the public and young people with a learning disability should be able to access all the benefits. We would also reduce stress for carers who are worry about individuals being vulnerable.
We can montior and evaluate it's use.

Risk

To continue the upkeep of the website however we are dedicated to this.
The target group can be vulnerable and we would carry out risk assessments of possible scenarios. We do however want the carers support so they can also assist the young person in their internet usage.

Reporting

We would report as was required and also allow donors to join our site.

Budget - Project Cost: £15,000

Location

We would originally base this project in Edinburgh as this is the area that we work with and we also have a close relationship with the specialised schools. If the website is successful we would hope to role out across the Lothians.

Beneficiaries

Children and young people with a learning disability.Carers, Support Workers and teachers.
The barrier to these people is not geographical and often not economic it is however there support need and parents fear of them being vulnerable that are barriers so them having a healthy relationship with the internet.

Why Us?

FAIR specialises in advising people with learning disabilities, using plain English publications, visiting families and representing them at appeal. It also advises on adults with incapacity issues and signposting for will and trusts. We provide advice and support to specie schools and attend parents’ evenings and career events. We therefore have access to carers and professionals that work with children with learning disabilities. It is a trusted resource